Insight News ::: 03.13.17

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Insight News March 13 - March 19, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews. com

Precious Jewels TURN TO PAGE 2

Courtesy Shirley Jones

Page 2 • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Insight News

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Master Artist Shirley Jones creates original art and eccentric Jewelry

By Nadvia Davis Decorated brown paper bags line the walls and colorful balloon lanterns dangle from the ceiling inside the Plymouth Avenue Art Studio, 2404 Plymouth Ave, Minneapolis.

Owner Shirley Jones, a native of Chicago and graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has been sharing her passion for art in Minneapolis for more than 17 years. After retiring from teaching art for 37 years at St. Paul Central High School, she began devoting her time to exhibiting, creating and selling art pieces and custom jewelry.

“I really try to make my jewelry have stories and history,” said Jones.

One significant piece of jewelry that has a prominent story behind it is Jones’ Red Pepper necklace.

“During slavery, the slaves would take a small amount of red pepper in their pockets. When they got back to their quarters and when they had enough red pepper, they would try to escape and they would shake red pepper behind them and throw off the dog scent. This necklace is a reference to that part of our history,” said Jones.

To create jewelry similar

Photos courtesy of Shirley Jones

Artist Shirley Jones uses metals, rocks, gems and more to create her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. to the Red Pepper necklace, Jones uses a soldering technique

in which alloys fuse and are applied to the joints between

The inspiration behind this Red Pepper necklace comes from the story of escaping slaves using red pepper to throw tracking dogs off of their scent. metal objects to unite them without heating the objects to

the melting point.

Like many

homemade

accessories, Jones said the cost of the jewelry she creates can vary.

“Most of my jewelry runs from $35 to $200,” said the artist.

When Jones is not gathering materials to make jewelry, she is looking for new ways to expose community members to art.

One of her upcoming projects is called Blue Box. “Blue Box is brand new.

It’s about getting people in the community to paint these little boxes, size 9x9; then giving out art to homeless people,” said Jones. “Plus (we put) some necessities inside the box, maybe a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, socks. Things that people can use.”

Jones anticipates that community members will create more than 500 boxes as part of the Blue Box project. The public can expect the project to launch in the summer of 2017.

Now approaching 70, Jones keeps busy with art projects throughout the year including selling her eclectic art and jewelry at the annual Powderhorn Art Fair. She is also looking to expand and sell art at the Loring Park Art Festival this year.

Jones proudly expressed that no matter what someone’s situation is, where they are in life, even if they are homeless, “everybody deserves art.”

Rites of Passage event highlights all that is beautiful with us

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor

“These are the leaders of our future.”

Those words could not be truer. Those were the words of Vanessa Ware, president of the Minneapolis chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The leaders of which she spoke were initiates of the chapter’s Rites of

Passage ceremony – a ceremony that’s been going on for 19 years.

“They represent the best of our youth. Our children are telling a different story and are rewriting the headlines,” said Nadine Gibson, regional director for the Midwestern Region of Jack and Jill.

According to the organization’s website, w w w. j a c k a n d j i l l i n c . o rg , Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with

children ages 2 – 19, dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Founded by Marion Stubbs Thomas in 1938, in Philadelphia, today the organization boasts more than 230 chapters nationwide, representing more than 40,000 family members.

2017 Rights of Passage initiates

RITES 11

MNHS.ORG

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Xavier Golden

Guled Said

Isaiah Lawrence Funderburk

Brenton Reddrick

Brian Smith

Richard Scott

Nassir Scroggins

Eric Etukudo

William Sanders

Cameron Kipper

Dallas Williams

Brandon Holder

Explore art, race and a nation on stage through the prism of the African American experience.

NOW ON VIEW 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., Blvd St. St Paul Paul, MN 55102

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Insight News • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Page 3

aesthetically speaking

Aesthetically It!: Events, concerts, venues in the Twin Cities

MORE ON PAGE 10

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Insight News March 13 - March 19, 2017, 2017

Vol. 44 No. 10• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Ramsey County Sheriff seeks to hire people of color

Opening the ranks

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department has a simple solution to those who say law enforcement doesn’t adequately represent them.

That solution is to apply.

The department is seeking to hire about 40 deputy corrections officers and 911 dispatchers as a part of its racial and gender equity recruiting initiative. The initiative is being led by Sgt. Suwana Kirkland, a 10-year veteran of the department. Kirkland, along with Sgt. Tequela Scullark of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department and Joe Dillenburg of Ramsey County Communications – the 911 dispatch arm of Ramsey County – were all March 7 guests on “Conversations with Al McFarlane.” “Conversations” airs every Tuesday at 9 a.m. on KFAI 90.3 FM and online at www.kfai.org.

Kirkland said too often people of color do not see themselves wearing a police uniform.

“We want to create opportunities in the sheriff’s office. The history is law enforcement hasn’t been

RAMSEY COUNTY 8

President Donald Trump’s second attempt at a travel ban from Muslim majority countries has again caused outrage, with many calling the policy xenophobic.

Revised ban on immigrants is ‘catastrophic,’critics charge

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Tequela Scullark (front) and Sgt. Suwana Kirkland say the department is looking for people who look more like them.

(GIN) A revised travel ban by the Trump administration is already being panned by a leading aid agency, the travel industry and with the Nigerian government, which has urged its citizens to postpone making trips to the U.S. without “compelling or essential reasons.”

The new travel ban, which still targets majority-Muslim countries, slightly modifies an earlier order that sparked chaos at airports across the country as travelers – even those with green cards – were denied entry by local officers.

One of the harsher critics of the new ban, the head of the

New York-based International Rescue Committee (IRC), labeled it an “historic assault on refugee resettlement to the United States, and a really catastrophic cut at a time there are more refugees around the world than ever before.”

“There is there is no national security justification for this catastrophic cut in refugee admissions,” declared David Miliband, president and CEO of the IRC, adding that the ban singles out “the most vulnerable, most vetted population that is

IMMIGRANTS 8

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A new report says despite similar circumstances in jobs, education or spending habits, people of color economically lag behind whites due to structural racism.

Public policy fuels racial wealth gap New York – Demos and the Institute for Assets & Social Policy (IASP) at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management released a new report that explores popular explanations for the racial wealth gap between African-American, Latino and white households.

The report demonstrates that changing individual behavior in areas such as education, family structure, full- or part-time employment and personal consumption habits would not reverse the economic harm done by structural racism. Instead, public policy is needed to eliminate racial wealth disparities.

Using 2013 data from the “Survey of Consumer Finances,” the new report finds that attending college does not close the racial wealth gap.

The median white adult who attended college has 7.2 times more wealth than the median Black adult who attended college and 3.9 times more wealth than the median Latino adult who attended college The report also found that raising children in a twoparent household does not close the racial wealth gap.

The median white single parent has 2.2 times more wealth than the median Black twoparent household and 1.9 times more wealth than the median

News

Dr. Fred Lewis anchored community health clinics

PAGE 4

Latino two-parent household.

Employment also provides little hope in closing the gap, according to the report. The median white household that includes a full-time worker has 7.6 times more wealth than the median Black household with a full-time worker. The median white household that includes a full-time worker also has 5.4 times more wealth than the median Latino household with a full-time worker.

The results were no different when comparing spending habits. According to the report the average white household spends 1.3 times more than the average Black household of the same income group.|

Profiles

Celebrating greatness

PAGE 6

“For centuries, white households enjoyed wealthbuilding opportunities that were systematically denied to people of color. Today our policies continue to impede efforts by African-American and Latino households to obtain equal access to economic security,” explained Amy Traub, associate director of Policy and Research at Demos and co-author of the report. “When research shows that racial privilege now outweighs a fundamental key to economic mobility, like higher education, we must demand our policymakers acknowledge

RACIAL 8

Courtesy of Anthony Dunbar

Anthony Dunbar

Despite uncertainty building trades offer pathway to self-reliance

By Ingrid Ferlo It’s the hard hat hustle for Anthony Dunbar, the dreadlocked lowvoltage technician who attacks the grind with supreme confidence and pride in his work. Tone, as Dunbar is called by friends and colleagues, says fulfillment for him is in advising young Black

I2H

My transformation from the outside in

PAGE 7

men and women about the challenges and rewards of skilled trades work.

As a 30 year veteran in the field, Dunbar said he advises young people to “ work hard and be the best at what we do.”

“Save your chips (money) because you never know when you

DUNBAR 8

Education

Students participate in tuition and debt forum

PAGE 9

Page 4 • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Insight News

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Democrats, it’s time to show some backbone

By Bernie Foster The Skanner News In March 2016, former President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Garland is well-respected and serves as chief judge of the Appeals Court of the District of Columbia. Yet despite past bipartisan support this nonpartisan judge was refused a hearing in Congress.

Republican leaders decided to block Garland’s appointment simply because he was nominated by former President Obama. As a result the Supreme Court has been operating for nearly a year with eight members instead of nine and as far as we can see it has worked well. Now Democrats should continue what the Republicans started and push to keep an eight-justice Supreme Court.

It is not without precedent.

In fact the Supreme Court was originally made up of six justices

Current Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Photo modified by The Skanner and at different points in time has been composed of seven, 10 and

nine justices. Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted as many as

15 justices, but Congress, which sets the number refused to agree.

With its current eight members the Supreme Court

has ruled that universities may consider race among other factors in their admissions process. The court also struck down unconstitutional abortion restrictions in Texas and upheld a decision restricting gun ownership for perpetrators of domestic violence.

The Supreme Court has done well with eight justices — and if another justice should leave the court we have no doubt it will also work well with seven members. So why can’t the court continue to work with its current eight justices?

Democrats are outnumbered in both the Senate and the House for at least the next four years, so they don’t have a lot of power in this Congress. Nevertheless, they can fight to keep the Supreme Court impartial by opposing any new Supreme Court appointments.

Sen. Mitch McConnell and his friends have demonstrated that the eight-justice court will work. So let’s stick with it for the next session of Congress.

Dr. Fred Lewis anchored community health clinics Dr. Fredrekia (Fred) Lewis passed peacefully on Feb. 24. He was 64-years-old.

Lewis was born on Jan. 5, 1953 in Daingerfield, Texas to Vernell Lewis. Equally influential in his upbringing were his grandmother, Ida Mae Lewis and grandfather, Lura Lewis.

Lewis graduated from Daingerfield (Texas) High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston.

In 1979, he graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville with a medical degree in Internal Medicine.

Lewis also studied medicine in Flint, Mich., where he completed his residency in internal medicine and served as a chief resident. The doctor moved to Minneapolis where he faithfully served the community

for more than 35 years working for Open Cities Health Center in St. Paul, North Point Wellness Center, and Southside Medical Center in Minneapolis. He also maintained a solo private practice from 1982 to 2009.

The doctor’s passion for medicine came while watching his grandparents’ health decline from preventable and treatable diseases due to their lack of access to quality health care.

That passion drove Lewis to serve and treat thousands of patients over the course of his career.

Lewis’ patients were as dedicated to him as he was to them. Because of his excellence in knowledge and service some who started with him in the 1980s remained faithful patients until he died. He was also the ring doctor for the Minnesota Golden Gloves Boxing Association and

Dr. Fredrekia (Fred) Lewis

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participated with the Special Olympics.

Prior to starting his medical career, Lewis worked at Lone Star Steel. Additionally, he spent time working with his stepfather, Elmer Sublet in Dallas. Together they built bridges and worked on the construction of the Dallas Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys used to play.

As gifted in music as he was in medicine, Lewis was a renowned trumpet player. He was also an athlete and chef.

In high school he excelled in football and enjoyed baking cakes and was exceptional on the grill, specializing in ribs.

He loved to watch old westerns and his favorite soap opera, “The Young and the Restless.”

He was an avid collector of sports memorabilia, model cars and animal figurines. Lewis was a tenacious domino player,

winning several trophies. He also enjoyed competing in fantasy football.

Lewis is remembered as a great family man and a loving father. He married Gwendolyn Jeffery on Dec. 5, 1975. To this union four children were born – Jamal Lewis (Joy), Latif Lewis (Diana), Ida Huldeen (Butch) and Afton Lewis.

In addition to his wife and children, Lewis leaves behind his mother, Vernell Sublett of Dallas, grandchildren Milah Lewis and Makai Lewis of Excelsior, Samara Lewis and Simone Lewis of Madison, Wisc., Cassian Huldeen of Delano, aunts, uncles, cousins and many other loving family and friends.

Services for Lewis were held March 4, at Progressive Baptist Church in St. Paul.

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Insight News • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Page 5

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Celebrating greatness In partnership with Insight News, the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department celebrated Black History Month by profiling people who are making a difference in the city.

In part two of their series, the department, through Insight News highlights the contributions of Black Minneapolis who are making history daily.

To paraphrase the song says, “Started from the bottom now he’s here.”

Jason Sole – the face of redemption Jason Sole, president of the Minneapolis NAACP, is a thrice convicted felon-turnedHamline University professor who volunteers in juvenile prisons across Minnesota and lobbies for restoring the voting

Jason Sole rights of ex-offenders. Raised on the Southside of Chicago, at an early age Sole became involved in gangs. He was charged with possession of an illegal firearm at age 18, and at age 21 he was charged with drug possession. After serving time in prison and spend-

ing several years on probation, Sole has now become a model for determination and redemption. He’s fought hard to find work, get into college, raise a family and eventually work towards a Ph.D at Capella University. For Sole attending college was an act of desperation.

“I was asked to select a major and at the time I had no idea what I wanted to do. However, I was interested in criminal justice because it was my life story. I knew it and felt it, but didn’t understand the disparities in criminal justice,” said Sole. “I recognized I’d committed wrongs in my life but didn’t understand why my punishment was unequal in comparison to my white counterparts.”

A major in criminal justice was a perfect fit for Sole, motivated by his past and desire to help others, worked hard and excelled. He completed his four-year degree program in three years and was the recipient of many awards and scholarships. As a student at Metropolitan State University Sole served as president of the African-American Student Union and was awarded the Male Student Leader Achievement Award two years in a row. After college, he obtained a master’s degree in criminal justice.

Today, Sole is nationally recognized expert on criminal justice issues. He has been an educator for nearly eight years, serving as an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University and Hamline University. He is also a writer, keynote speaker, and trainer for the One Circle Foundation.

Sole is a leader in the push to restore voting rights to convicted felons and combat oppressive or collateral consequences. He views voter disenfranchisement as a serious form of oppression.

“Ex-offenders are denied access to welfare benefits, public housing, education loans and the right to serve on a jury or run for office,” said Sole. “These barriers make it extremely difficult to find redemption.”

Chanda Smith Baker Sole lost his voting rights in 2006 and wasn’t set to have them restored until 2026, however after petitioning for an early termination of his probation this past November he was able to vote for the first time in 10 years.

Chanda Smith Baker – turning tragedy into triumph Chanda Smith Baker is an accomplished senior executive with a career record of providing business insight, transformational leadership.

To translate, Baker is a leader who gets things done.

Baker’s career began in early childhood education. A mother and entrepreneur, she was very involved in the athome provider community.

She managed her own daycare and supported other at-home providers in developing and sustaining their businesses.

It was through this experi-

ence that she developed a passion for children and families.

Today, Baker serves as president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, responsible for 130 employees and the operations of five neighborhood centers, a training center and eight social enterprises.

“I was raised with an orientation of contributing to community as a way of life.

As a young person I was always keenly aware of the challenges that my community faced,” said Baker. “I grew up in North Minneapolis and I always felt very passionate about uplifting what’s best in the community while working to tackle the challenges.”

Baker leads with a focus on closing racial disparities and measuring outcomes. In 2014, she led a planning process that resulted in a new strategic framework that led to securing more than $1 Million dollars to implement Pillsbury United Communities organizational strategies.

Recently she led Pillsbury United’s gun buy-back initiative where residents were urged to surrender firearms in exchange for Visa gift cards. The guns were decommissioned and given to Twin Cities’ artists to create statements about the impact of gun violence in the community. The buy-back initiative was one in which Baker was personally invested.

“My cousin, Kristopher Miller, was shot and killed the same week I was named CEO of Pillsbury United,” said Baker. “Last year was the fifth anniversary of his death.

The buy-back program was a result of me taking something that affected me personally and looking for a way to make an impact on community violence. I am not willing to look the other way, believing that there’s nothing we can do, but rather I’m committed to doing my part to make our com-

munity safer. We have a public health crisis with gun violence.

It affects all of us, and we all must be part of the solution.”

In addition to her work with Pillsbury United Communities, Baker is a member of the boards of directors of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Public Allies National, the International Federation of Settlements and CommonBond Communities. She also sits on the national advisory board of the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement Classification and has received several recognitions including the Hubert H. Humphrey Leadership Award, and in 2012 she was a Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal Diversity in Business honoree. Baker was recog-

Roderick Cox nized as a Hometown Hero in 2011 for her role leading the recovery efforts following a tornado in North Minneapolis.

Baker holds a Master of Arts in organizational management and communications degree from Concordia University. She is also a graduate of MenTTium 100 Executive Leadership Program and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor’s Executive Leadership Institute.

Roderick Cox – orchestrating change Roderick Cox is breaking barriers in Minnesota, and inspiring future generations to surpass any and all limitations. Recognized as one of America’s fastest rising young conducting talents, Cox currently serves as the associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra.

A native of Macon, Ga., Cox would spend time in his room playing gospel records

and imagining himself as a conductor. As a young student Cox explored his love for music as a percussionist and French horn player at a finearts high school in Macon.

Yet, at the time Cox did not foresee a career as a conductor, instead thought he would perhaps become a band director or teach music. However, later as an undergraduate student at Columbus (Ga.) State University’s Schwob School of Music, Cox was inspired by symphony performances and decided there were pieces he would like to conduct that would not be possible as a band director.

In 2009, he received a bachelor of music degree in music education from Columbus State, graduating summa cum laude. He later received a master’s degree in conducting from Northwestern University. After graduating from Northwestern, Cox served two years as the music director of the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra and the assistant conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Now as associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, Cox has a range of responsibilities from leading Young People’s concerts, family programs and outdoor community concerts to serving as cover conductor for many classical subscription and “Live at Orchestra Hall” concert performances.

During the 2015-2016 season, Cox made his conducting debut with the National Symphony (Washington, D.C.), Detroit Symphony, Nashville Symphony and Florida Orchestra.

He was selected by the League of American Orchestras as one of five conductors to present in the 2016 Bruno Walter National Conducting Preview, a prestigious showcase for young conductors from around the country. Cox also conducted a performance sponsored by Google and Colour of Music Festival for the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture in Washington D.C. Cox is passionate about his music and uses his influence to make an impact on community.

“As one of the very few African-American conductors in the world, unlike some of my colleagues, I have to think about how to inspire young AfricanAmerican musicians,” said Cox. The conductor supports initiatives that support Black string players and wants to ensure they have the opportunity to play in orchestra, or become soloists.

Acting on this passion, Cox recently led the Minnesota Orchestra in a debut performance at Shiloh Temple International Ministries in North Minneapolis.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Page 7

Insight 2 Health

My transformation from the outside in

By Carmen Robles Those of you with challenging health issues may understand the internal debate … the struggle within … when I heard the diagnoses of stage 3 invasive carcinoma breast cancer grade 2A. You may understand the intensity of my mind’s instantaneous confusion as I faced the startling realization that I am mortal. That I can and I will die. Eventually.

During 30 sessions of radiation for 15 terrifying minutes it was just me and the sounds of the “Star Wars” like radiation apparatus. It’s rotating stun gun arm, shooting beams into precise targeted areas in my chest where “X” marks the spot. In my case, tiny ink spots appropriately called “tattoos” were the targets for the high tech burning of those insidious cancer cells. Burn baby, burn.

In the room it was just me, the buzzing sounds of the equipment and my mind taunting me with the what if’s and the I should have, could have, would have of life’s choices.

Those deep-seeded, deep-rooted damaging thoughts I was so sure I had cleverly dealt with, began flashing before me in living color. My body busy with its fight, laid helpless; prisoner to the agony of the mind for those excruciating 15 minutes.

I had to immediately change the direction of my mind.

First, I prayed, bargained with God and then I reached deep into the strong base I had just built through the 10-week Insight 2 Health (I2H) Fitness Challenge three months earlier.

I believed the fitness experience was divine intervention. It prepared me for the fight of my life. I could face each day with

Carmen Robles has reason to smile having beaten cancer.

She credits the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge in helping her win the fight.

methodically strip away the mental anguish that can lead me to make unhealthy choices.

Denial is the glue that holds my family together. The “elephant in the room” is never addressed. Through the I2H I am recognizing good nutrition and physical activity that includes all-inclusive cardio strength equals good mental health. The glue is losing its grip.

As I go through my second experience of the I2H fitness challenge there is a greater change than just losing a couple of inches and pounds.

My internal flame bursts with gratitude for the accomplished professionals who led me through this full body and soul

transformation. These dedicated certified experts at the F.I.T. Lab literally guiding me to healthier – a happier – me.

I am moving my body, identifying specific personal ups and downs and starting an intentional visual board of what I want out of life. The group atmosphere, with the “don’t stop until it’s done” attitude is key for my success and is lots of fun. Working together in group fitness is motivating, as we are social creatures.

This experience has shown me that my personal transformation began on the outside. Once my body was diagnosed it took over and told my mind to “shut up.” The boot

camp is so intense my mind is not able to infiltrate with its negative rhetoric, its insistence, persistence to sabotage me.

My insides will match my outside. A complete transformation with no surgery required. Who could ask for anything more?

To learn more about the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge call The F.I.T. Lab at (651) 645-5242 or visit the website at www.thefitlabinc.com.

The Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge is a fitness and lifestyle initiative designed to promote measurable and long-lasting health and fitness outcomes in program participants. The objective is to introduce lifestyle changes that are sustainable. Participants meet up to four times a week in a group class setting and consult with a nutrition expert and mental health professional.

hope, knowing I was strong in body.

At the end of that challenge, I was no longer on blood pressure medication and had detoxed from my addictions – sugar dairy and white flour. I eliminated fast and fried foods, incorporated greens and water in my diet. I dropped a few pounds and inches, gained core strength, endurance and confidence … the perfect combination for the grueling reality I was about to face.

It’s taken me a lifetime and two rounds at the Insight 2 Health Fitness Challenge at the F.I.T. (Fitness Innovation Transformation) Lab, 1583 Hamline Ave. N., Falcon Heights, to shed the outside so that I could get into the inside.

That’s where all the hard work is, in the head. The body is easy.

You can see the owie, put a bandage on. But the inside, now there’s the rub.

As I struggle with pushups, squats, mountain climbers, burpees and all the other physical torture Tyrone Minor and Jaime Minor can conjure up, my sweat and sometimes tears slowly and

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Page 8 • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Insight News

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Photos by Law Thao

Professor Shannon Gibney reads from one of her favorite children’s books.

Author, Bukola Oriola

Dr. Artika Tyner, founder and president, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute

Book fair supports children’s book project The Planting People Growing Justice Institute (PPGJ) is currently working on a children’s book project “Making

Immigrants From 3 entering the United States.”

The IRC provides humanitarian aid in five African countries, six Middle Eastern countries, six Asian countries, three European countries and 22 cities in the

Ramsey County From 3 viewed as a viable career for communities of color,” said Kirkland. “We want communities of color to know that this is a great career. Your first contact with law enforcement doesn’t

a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire.”

PPGJ recently hosted a

book fair at the Roseville Barnes & Noble to get people familiar with children’s books written by Black authors and

to raise money and awareness for the book project. The event featured a storytelling time with six local authors

who read their favorite children’s books to the audience.

Bukola Oriola, D’Narius Lewis, Ernest Comer III,

Daphne Brown, Dr. Yvette Pye and Professor Shannon Gibney were the featured authors.

U.S. Trump’s latest order suspends the U.S. refugee program for 120 days, though refugees already formally scheduled for travel by the State Department will be allowed entry. When the suspension is lifted, the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. will be capped at 50,000 for fiscal year 2017.

But the new and higher

bars to entry to the U.S. have the tourism industry biting its nails. Travel analytics firm ForwardKeys tallied the falloff in major tourism-dependent U.S. cities as 6.5 percent in the eight days after President Donald Trump’s initial travel ban was announced on Jan. 27.

In New York City, analysts foresee some 300,000 fewer visitors from abroad this year than in 2016, a 2.1

percent dip. It’s the first time for such a fall-off since 2008, says NYC & Company, New York’s tourism arm.

Even some African countries are sounding the alarm. In Nigeria, for example, special presidential adviser Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to consider postponing visits to the U.S. “In the last few weeks, the office has received a

few cases of Nigerians with valid multiple-entry U.S. visas being denied entry and sent back to Nigeria,” said Dabiri-Erewa. “In such cases, affected persons were sent back immediately on the next available flight and their visas were cancelled.”

Planned trips should be delayed, she advised, barring compelling or essential reasons, until there is clarity

on the new immigration policy from Washington, D.C. The latest action by the Trump administration could spell trouble for the 2.1 million African immigrants living in the U.S.; 327,000 of whom were born in Nigeria, according to the Pew Research Center, published in February.

have to be a negative experience.

You (people of color) can wear the badge and put the uniform on and be a part of the change.”

She has called on the community to get behind the initiative and is seeking input as to how to best mend the rift between communities of color and law enforcement. As a part of those efforts the department is hosting a community meeting April 7 at 6 p.m. at the Ramsey

County Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove St. in St. Paul.

“We’re going to be bridging the gap and breaking barriers as we’re doing this,” said Skullark. “(This career) is for all of us. We too, people of color, can do this.”

Skullark said seeing more faces like hers would be a welcomed addition, saying she wished there were other African-Americans on the force

to mentor her when she began her career.

“When I first started at Oak Park Correctional Facility back in 1987 it was one those deals that I likened to integration like back in the 1950s,” said Scullark, who said she was the first African-American and first female to work in a corrections role at the facility. “Going in we (people of color) we’re accepted at first.”

She said that acceptance came over time by her performing at a high level, eventually earning a merit transfer to Ramsey County.

Kirkland said she is looking forward to mentoring a new crop of recruits who resemble her in ethnicity and possibly in life experiences.

“I need to be that face, to be that voice for young women of color that are thinking ‘I want to get in this profession but I just don’t know how,’” said Kirkland. “I vow to be that resource to other African-

American women who want to get in this profession. This is my calling.”

Kirkland said the recruiting initiative will improve police/ community relationships. In mending fences, Ramsey County is offering well-paying career opportunities. According to the sergeant, incoming corrections officers make $21 an hour and deputies earn $23 an hour.

“That’s an excellent wage to raise a family on, to build a home on,” said Kirkland, who added that although some agencies require a four-year college degree; the minimum requirement is a two-year degree.

For those seeking employment with corrections or 911 dispatch no degree is required.

To inquire about employment with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s office call (651) 266-9333 or go to www.

RamseyCountySheriff.us.

Thursday is Day at the Capitol Also on “Conversations”

was community activist Al Flowers. Flowers came on to encourage community participation for Thursday’s (March 16) Day at the Capitol.

Flowers said community stakeholders including Emerge, the Minneapolis Urban League, Stairstep Foundation, Sabathani Community Center, the Council of African Heritage, Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC), Black Lives Matters and others will be participating in the event. The goal is have state lawmakers address issues of equity, jobs, housing, safety, education and other concerns facing communities of color.

Flowers said it is important that law and policymakers see citizens of color being highly engaged in the happenings at the capital. He said this type of engagement holds elected officials accountable and can result in much needed resources being directed into the community.

Thomas Shapiro, director of the Institute on Assets and Social Policy. “White households have a leg up, while households of color face systematic barriers to growing wealth, reproducing our long-standing racial wealth gap over generations. Without policies that combat ingrained wealth inequalities, the racial wealth gap that we see today will continue to persist.”

Demos and IASP created “The Racial Wealth Audit,”

which serves as a framework for policy makers to evaluate public policy proposals for their potential to reduce the racial wealth gap. This report is the most recent in a series of studies from IASP and Demos analyzing policy solutions to close the racial wealth gap and ensure all Americans have an equal opportunity to participate in the economy.

Dunbar shared his story about his passion for self-reliance recently on “Conversations with Al McFarlane” (Tuesdays at 9 a.m. on KFAI 90.3 FM and online at www.kfai.org).

Trade work is often seasonal and can mean instability and uncertainty for skilled workers and craftsmen. These are struggles that Dunbar knows all too well.

“I feel like a pawn out here basically; used at the contractor’s discretion,” said Dunbar.

“There is no security.”

Dunbar said the instability in the trade is something that has haunted him since he started working in the field. He shared anecdotes where he has been laid off immediately and without notice.

Yet, he said, when you go to collect unemployment benefits that you have earned, you are told to wait two or three weeks. “That is structurally unfair,” Dunbar said.

The instability he has faced has caused a series of personal and professional ripples. He said he faced streaks of unemployment because of his job and has been forced to apply for unemployment benefits – a situation he strives to avoid at all costs saying he’d rather be working.

Dunbar said people of color working as laborers often have it the worst when it comes to steady, long term employment.

Essentially, he hires himself out to union contractors who select workers from a pool of available tradesmen. Intergenerational and family ties keep some tradesmen always at work, and keep others at the margin, he said. Even networking with other workers from our community can be a problem, Dunbar said. “As a consequence, African-Americans hesitate to network with each other. “When a brother and I are talking or greeting each other, whites get suspicious, because to them, it looks like we are conspiring with each other and we are not,” said Dunbar.

At the end of the day, Dunbar said, it’s the quality of his work that sustains him, that along with the knowledge that his handiwork has helped created reliable and safe work and business environments and experiences for thousands of people at places like Target Center, Target Corporations Brooklyn Park Campus, Wells Fargo office campuses, Hennepin County Government Center and Minneapolis City Hall.

Racial From 3 this problem and create policies that address structural inequity.”

“Equal achievements in key economic indicators, such as employment and education, do not lead to equal levels of wealth and financial security for households of color,” noted

Dunbar From 3

can be laid off. Work hard and keep your name clean.”

Tone advises young workers to plan for momentary unemployment that is inherent in the trades.

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Insight News • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Page 9

Education Students participate in tuition and debt forum MCTC Student Senate and the Community Development Student Organization co-host forum on tuition and debt Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) Student Senate and the Community Development Student Organization cohosted a forum on campus to encourage awareness about the rising cost of tuition and student debt.

Close to 100 students participated in the forum, which featured guest speaker Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL-60B), the first Somali-American Muslim lawmaker in the

Rep. Ilhan Omar

Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship accepting applications for 20172018 Applications for the 20172018 Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship are now being accepted.

The Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship is available to students of color from union families attending or planning to attend one of the 31 technical colleges, community colleges and/ or state universities in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system.

At least 30 scholarships will be given to qualifying applicants to celebrate 30 years of the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship’s existence.

To be eligible, a scholarship applicant must be a person of color and a union member or be the child, grandchild, or spouse of a union member.

Scholarships are awarded to both full-time and parttime students who will be attending a MnSCU technical or community college or state university in the fall of 2017.

Scholarship are up to $1,200 for full-time students (12 or more credits undergraduate or six credits or more graduate) and up to $500.00 for parttime students.

Scholarships are given each year to students who enroll in two/four year, undergraduate or graduate programs and may be renewed for up to two years for community or technical college programs, up to four years for students working toward a bachelor’s degree and two years for those enrolled in a master’s program.

Applications and additional information about the scholarship are available online at www.nelliestone. org or by calling (651) 7381404 or (866) 738-5238.

Applications must be postmarked no later than June 1 to be considered.

Classifieds Chief Business Technology Officer Minnesota IT Services is the information technology agency for the State of Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 70 state government agencies, boards and commissions.

Our agency is searching for a Chief Business Technology Officer to lead as the senior executive based at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and MNsure, supporting business operations and customers.

As one of MN.IT’s senior executive team members, this role helps set future IT direction, goals and priorities of state agency business partners. This position will lead and provide strategic guidance to key functions within the IT portfolio, including the delivery of major projects, infrastructure, operations, and applications.

Responsibilities: • Partner with IT and partner agency leaders to develop a comprehensive IT strategy.

•Establish and maintain relationships with senior leadership across the enterprise.

•Directly lead, develop and manage approximately 600 full-time staff employees and contractors as required.

•Plan and manage an IT budget of over $190M Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology OR

Business Management desired. A relevant advanced degree is preferred.

•A minimum 10 years of professional IT experience, which must include at least 5 years as a manager of information technology services. In order to be credited, management experience must include responsibility for the development and implementation of IT strategy and direction of IT operations, human resources, and finance.

Desired Characteristics: •Significant experience advising and representing senior executives and business line leadership on all technology-related issues.

•Comprehensive IT management background within a complex, multi-faceted operation.

Exceptional influencing skills and preferred experience working across many areas and levels.

•Excellent relationships with key vendors and other relevant industry contacts.

•Highly collaborative; personally and professionally self-aware; able to and interested in interacting with employees at all levels; embody integrity; and represent and inspire the highest ethical standards.

This is a tremendous leadership opportunity to manage a large and sophisticated information technology organization and apply your experience and expertise to improve the lives of over 5.5 million Minnesotans.

Interested candidates must apply online. Please navigate to mn.gov/careers and search for position number 11794.

United States. Students also engaged in roundtable discussions about the impact of the cost of education on their lives and signed a petition regarding college tuition, which will be taken by Omar to legislators later this month.

“The event provided a great opportunity for a state legislator to hear the voices of college students about the challenges of paying for higher education,” said Dr. Sharon Pierce, MCTC president, who expressed appreciation for Omar’s commitment

to affordable college and economic equality. “We are pleased to host Rep. Omar, and to see that our students are demonstrating civic engagement.”

Omar said education is an important issue for every generation.

“I believe education is the best equalizer in our society,” said the representative, who has begun hosting “Coffee and Kulan” forums to engage with the community. “While I am in office, I promise to work on policies that further the common good and help people understand

Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: info@insightnews.com Fairfield Terrace 20720 Holt Avenue Lakeville, MN 55044 952-469-1414

NOTICE: Immediate Availability – 2 Bedroom Project-Based Section 8/202; rent based on income for qualified applicants. Applications may be downloaded at www.commonbond.org or picked up on Wednesday’s from 7:30am-4pm at the Management office.

St. Paul Central H.S. Class of 1967 50th Reunion

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Sept. 8-10, 2017 Facebook - St. Paul Central Class of 1967 50th Reunion or email address to: geministar1149@comcast.net, Marie Braddock Williams, Committee

CommonBond Communities Equal Housing Opportunity

LILL’S ANGELS Volunteers

Support Group

Make a difference in the life of a child. The Mothers First program provides prevention and intervention services for pregnant women who are abusing chemicals. Mothers First is seeking a Child Care Assistant volunteer to help agency staff in providing supervision and care for the children with our Mothers First program while mom is attending counseling sessions. Volunteer Drivers are also needed to provide transportation to mothers in recovery to/from groups with our Mothers First program. Reimbursement for mileage is provided. Contact Ramsey County Health & Wellness Service Team — Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us.

African American culturally specific

Volunteer Customer Service Assistants

Lunds & Byerly’s Grocery

MEMORY LOSS Support Group

Northeast Minneapolis

Monroe Village 1900 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

South Minneapolis

Hennepin County is seeking volunteer greeters for its North Minneapolis human service center at 1001 Plymouth Avenue North to welcome and guide visitors, answer questions and assist with special projects.

Reliable adults who enjoy working with people and who are available for a few hours twice a week are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be able to volunteer for a minimum of three months. Volunteers are integral to Hennepin County’s mission of enhancing the health, safety and quality of life of its residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way. Get involved by visiting http://www. hennepin.us/humanservicevolunteer and submitting a volunteer application.

that legislators work for them. As constituents, it’s important for you to be able to recognize what’s within your power to change.”

Omar told students that she already co-signed a bill, authored by Rep. Jennifer Schultz, to pilot a tuition relief grant program.

“I’m interested in taking a closer look to see if students are being taken care of and in making sure they get out of their education what they need, without the burden of college debt,” said Omar.

1450 West Lake St., Minneapolis Upstairs meeting room Meets the 2nd Friday of each month from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

NEW LOCATION - Brooklyn Center

Jehovah Jireh Church 6120 Xerxes Ave. N., Brooklyn Center First meeting is Feb. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month To RSVP, or for questions, please call Dorothea Harris at 952-945-4175

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang

O F F I C E OF E Q U I T Y IN P R O C U R E M E N T

OPPORTUNITY FAIR M A R C H 3 0, 2 0 1 7 | 1 – 4 P M Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building 540 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101

Small businesses are invited to talk to buyers from more than 20 state agencies about upcoming procurement opportunities. Office of Equity in Procurement staff and representatives from the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will be available to answer questions about the Small Business Procurement Program, and how to compete for business with the State.

March 30, 1 - 4 PM

Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building Conference Rooms 2370 & 2380 540 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101

This event is free. To register, visit: http://bit.ly/2lkpJq6 The Opportunity Fair is hosted by the Department of Administration’s Office of Equity in Procurement and the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). For more info, visit: mn.gov/admin/opp-fair.

Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Page 10 • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Insight News

Liv Warfield The Lioness

Monday, Mar. 13 HIP-HOP Rodeo | Rap and R&B Mondays on LynLake The Country Bar 3006 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus No cover Catch a new industry night in Uptown featuring DJ Just Nine and DJ Frank Castle (and the wings are on point).

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status.

If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Judith Hill citywinery.com

Mar. 13 - Mar. 26

March 13 March 26, 2017

insightnews.com

Tuesday, Mar. 14 REGGAE International Reggae All-Stars Bunkers 761 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis 9 p.m.

21-plus $6 Catch the Twin Cities’ longest running weekly live reggae night with artists from across the globe.

Wednesday, Mar. 15

judithhill.com

touch the microphone. With a slew of classic hits this show is sure to be a memorable one. Guest performances by Truth Maze, Farr Well, and DJ Francisco. Hosted by Niles.

Judith Hill Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $45-$70

Thursday, Mar. 16

Liv Warfield and Judith Hill, both protégées of Prince, join Shelby J for what promises to be a can’t miss experience.

HIP-HOP Mobb Deep Privé Minneapolis 315 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

21-plus $30-$70 Havoc and Prodigy represent that good grimy side of hiphop. These hip-hop legends and Queensbridge natives will get you “stuck off the realness” at Privé.

Friday, Mar. 17 HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE P.O.S. First Avenue & 7th St. Entry 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m.

18-plus $15 advance, $18 door Hip-hop/punk musician, P.O.S., has been a top tier act in Minnesota since the release of his album “Audition” in 2006.

With the release of his new project, “Chill Dummy,” look for more crossover smash hits.

See him with with Zuluzuluu and Invisible Boy.

HIP HOP Rakim Amsterdam Bar and Hall 6 W. 6th St., St. Paul 7:30 p.m.

21-plus $25

Saturday, Mar. 18

Rakim, or The R as hip-hop heads know him, is considered one of the greatest to every

JAZZ/SOUL PERFORMANCE Liv Warfield, Shelby J and

Sunday, Mar. 19 VISUAL ART We the People 2001A Space 2001 5th St. N.E., Minneapolis 1p.m. – 4 p.m.

Large scale paintings will be on display from Loretta Bebeau based on interactions with immigrant youth.

Monday, Mar. 20 OPEN MIC McNally Smith Mondays: Open Jam Golden’s Lowertown 275 E. 4th St., 1st floor, St. Paul 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

18-plus No cover McNally Smith students J.C. and Tomas present this weekly open mic.

Tuesday, Mar. 21 LIVE PODCAST The What If? Podcast - Live Episode Recording Nomad World Pub 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

21-plus

Mobb Deep

Dahlia Jones

Yohannes Tona on bass, Danny Solano on guitar and Rob Coleman on keys.

No cover Producer Big Cats and MC Homeless Ryan K present their new podcast about weird worldly topics with special guest Eric Mayson.

Saturday, Mar. 25 DJ NIGHT The K***uation First Avenue 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

18-plus $10 advance, $12 door

Wednesday, March 22 BOOK READING In the Shadow of Green Man Augsburg College 720 S. 22nd Ave., Minneapolis 4 p.m – 6 p.m.

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin will talk in the Christensen Center about his journey out of poverty through food.

Thursday, Mar. 23 FUNDRAISER/WINE TASTING Taste of West Broadway MPLS Photo Center 2400 N. 2nd St., Minneapolis 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. $35 advance, $50 door

This popular night of women performers has taken the city by storm. DJ Keezy is fresh off of announcing performances at SXSW and Soundset. She presents the show with Coco and Breezy, DJ Shannon Blowtorch, Sarah White, BdotCroc, Maria Isa, Lady Midnight, K.Raydio, The Lioness, Vie Boheme, Alissa Paris, Al Taw’am – The Twins, Mica May and Serene Supreme.

Sunday, Mar. 26

This local beer and wine tasting event will showcase a number of Northside businesses.

Friday, Mar. 24 SOUL/PERFORMANCE An Evening with Dahlia Jones Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis 11 p.m.

21-plus $8 Singer Dahlia Jones takes the stage alongside Brandon Commodore on drums,

WORKSHOP Desire Mapping People’s Movement Center 763 E 41st St., Minneapolis 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $15-$50 (sliding scale fee) Dr. Jaime Grant is an intimate relationship coach, researcher and writer who has been active in LGBT, women’s and racial justice movements since the late 1980s. Her Desire Mapping workshops weave together body positivity with gender, race, disability and economic justice into an experience of desire liberation.

Rakim

‘God MC,’ Rakim coming to the Amsterdam

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Before there was Chance the Rapper there was Rakim.

Before there was Jay Z, Kanye West, Nas, Notorious BIG or 2 Pac there was Rakim. If we’re talking about lyrical hiphop’s lineage, Rakim is at the root. The iconic MC is (finally) coming to the Twin Cities when he performs this Wednesday (March 15) at the Amsterdam in St. Paul (6 W. 6th St.). The show is a collaborative effort with the Amsterdam and the Avant Garde.

Rakim’s career is more than 30-years-old, and though the “God MC” hasn’t released new music in nearly eight years, he is still revered as one of the greatest MCs of all time. His original fan base has remained loyal and his audience has grown among younger fans of the lyrical, underground and “backpack” styles of hip-hop.

As half of the DJ/MC duo Eric B. & Rakim, Rakim set the standard for flow with his calm delivery and clever wordplay.

The 1987 LP, “Paid in Full” was a “must have” for even the casual hip-hop fan and spawned the singles “Eric B. for President,” “My Melody,” “I Ain’t no Joke,” “I Know You Got Soul,” “Move the Crowd” and the album’s title track, “Paid in Full.” All are considered lyrical masterpieces and immediately established Rakim as the microphone king.

The follow-up, “Follow the Leader” was equally as poignant as a groundbreaking project and garnered the duo even more critical and commercial acclaim with songs such as “Follow the Leader,” “Microphone Fiend,” “The R” and “Lyrics of Fury.”

The group’s third album, “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em” saw less commercial success, but the title track and the soulful hip-hop ballad, “Mahogany”

are still regarded as classic cuts.

“Mahogany’s” sample of Al Green’s “I’m Glad You’re Mine” is credited with an awakening to Green’s music among the hiphop generation.

The duo had a bitter split with Rakim going on to have moderate success as a solo artist, but the luster of the early days had worn a bit. As recently as last fall the two talked about reuniting, but a reunion project has yet to surface. Also disappointing to Rakim fans was the long-awaited, now canned, project with Dr. Dre. Both cited creative differences as to why no music emerged publicly.

Twin Cities fans have been clamoring for a Rakim show with a couple of “fake-outs” with other promoters advertising the MC’s coming only to later recant. This time the show is cemented and unless there’s an “act of God,” the show is happening for real this time. And that’s music to fans’ ears.

“Rakim is the most influential hip-hop artist ever,” said Avant Garde founder Chadwick “Niles” Phillips, not mincing words. “Before Rakim, rhyme patterns were not as complex. He came on the scene and sent other rappers back to the lab because they had to step their game up.”

Phillips said the buzz around Rakim’s performance is palpable.

“People who came up in the (19)80s come up to me and in talking about the show you can see the gleam in their eyes.

You can see the kid come out in them,” said Phillips.

Opening for Rakim are artists Farr Well, Truth Maze and DJ Francisco. The show is hosted by Phillips. Tickets for Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. 21+ show are $25 and are on sale at the Amsterdam, Fifth Element, Electric Fetus and online at www.ticketfly.com.

insightnews.com

Insight News • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Page 11

‘Nevertheless, she persisted’ African Americans unite to get tattoo

By Nadvia Davis

On a closed business day for The Truth Tattoos shop in St. Paul, African-American tattoo artist and shop owner Omar Yarbrough opened his doors to support women of color getting the phrase “Nevertheless she persisted” tattooed on their bodies.

This monumental phrase was created after Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell ordered Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to be removed from the House for reading a letter by Coretta Scott King, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s widow.

McConnell’s words were, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

Warren’s removal made national headlines and sparked a feminist movement across the U.S. Hundreds of women joined in solidarity.

Warren’s experience was one of many examples of women having to preserve. In an effort to get women of color in the Twin Cities to join this

movement, organizer Dana Joubert Hayes connected with Yarbourgh then took to Facebook to gage the interest of women.

“I’m definitely interested.

Just let me know when and where,” said participant Mia Gates.

Within minutes of the post going live, Joubert Hayes had an overwhelming response from many women that had read about Warren and wanted to get the tattoo and at the same time support an amazing cause of giving to an area nonprofit. Instead of going to Yarbrough and other artists, proceeds from the tattoos will go to Tubman Center, a charity in Minneapolis committed to advance opportunities for change so that every person can experience safety, hope and healing.

Before each participant began the tattoo process, the women selected specific font styles and determined tattoo placement on their bodies.

Some ladies even added special characteristics such as an ellipsis or butterfly to make the phrase more unique and personal to the women.

“I knew it would be pain-

thinking about placement. So too were the tattoo artists.

“Every tattoo we do, we try to have it flow with the body,” said tattoo artist Zach Schulte.

The women took turns getting into position to have the ink applied. Each tattoo took roughly 45 minutes to complete.

Seeing their tattoo for the first time, showed a sense of pride that the women had about coming together, taking a stance and getting a tattoo that reaffirmed their feminist values letting it be known they too would not be silenced.

For Yarbrough, this was the first all women of color event hosted inside The Truth Tattoo, 1991 Burns Ave., St. Paul.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give back and be a part of something I believe in,” said Yarbrough.

To donate to the Harriet Tubman Center, contact Emily Truscott at (612) 825-3333 or by email at etruscott@ tubman.org. ful, but the placement was perfect,” said Lasha Raddatz,

who had the phrase tattooed on her right rib.

The women getting the tattoos weren‘t the only ones

Be Heard MN Youth Poetry Slam heads into finals The fifth annual youth poetry slam series wraps up March 25 at the Walker Art Center Through five preliminary bouts and two semifinal rounds, Minnesota poets between the ages of 13 and 19 told their stories, shared their art and reaffirmed the importance of speaking up and speaking out, now more than ever.

On March 25, at the Walker Art Center’s McGuire Theater, 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, the final 12 poets will perform

their most powerful works, competing for a chance to join the 2017 Be Heard Cohort and represent Minnesota at the 20th Annual Brave New Voices youth poetry slam festival this July in San Francisco. Organized by TruArtSpeaks, the Be Heard series is about celebrating and respecting youth voice. Organizers say regardless of whom the final six poets are, “the points are not the point, the point is the poetry.”

Poetry slams are competitions, but they’re also

spaces in which young people can tell their stories and speak out on the issues that matter to them. For five years in a row, Twin Cities youth have risen to that challenge.

The finals of the Be Heard MN Youth Poetry Slam takes place 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Walker Art Center’s McGuire Theater.

Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students and Walker members. For more information go to www.truartspeaks.org.

Uche Iroegbu

2017 Be Heard participant Amir Khadar.

Photos by Harry Colbert, Jr.

Phalen Hampton

Rites From 2 The most recent ceremony held March 4 honored 15 outstanding young men – all seniors – all with the brightest of futures. The ceremony itself with its pageantry – parents being ushered in and seated in a runway type arrangement leading up to the dais, mentors in traditional African dashikis filing in, young men clad in tuxedos with tails marching in performing traditional Black Greek steps – was impressive, but the young men were most impressive.

These young men seemed to exemplify everything our community would want in our sons.

All are college-bound. All volunteer – in fact they have raised more than $23,000 for the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nurs-

Eric Jones ery, which works to end child abuse and neglect.

All are involved in multiple scholastic and/or athletic teams. Some are going to Ivy League institutions. Some are going to HBCUs. All demonstrated pride in their Blackness.

Thornton Powell III were two young women, both in high school. They talked about school. They talked about future careers. They talked about politics. They talked about trivial things that any teen would discuss. Before being seated together they

“Our children are telling a different story and are rewriting the headlines” - Nadine Gibson, regional director for the Midwestern Region of Jack and Jill.

They presented as intelligent, confident, courteous, industrious and loving.

These are truly young men and in the most powerful and positive sense of the word. This didn’t happen overnight and it isn’t by accident. It is by design.

Seated at a table

Jack and Jill Rites of Passage mentors (left) face their mentees before offering them as men to their parents and to society.

didn’t know one another.

Within minutes of the conversation they were fast friends, exchanging contact information … hopefully forming a lasting bond. That’s what Jack and Jill is all about.

A collaborative concert experience celebrating the Northside community through music Music by the Northside Celebration Choir and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Sanford Moore and G. Phillip Shoultz. Performances include gospel choir works, spoken word, poetry and the world premiere of True North for choir and chamber orchestra by long-time Northside resident Timothy C. Takach with lyrics by Desdamona. Featuring visual art

by Bill Cottman and Christopher E. Harrison.

Sat, March 18 and Sun, March 19, 2017 4:00pm | North High School Auditorium 1500 James Ave N · Minneapolis – enter door 18 on Irving Ave

Reserve your FREE tickets at: www.thespco.org/northside or 651.291.1144 Come celebrate the Northside!

Art: Big Bang © 2008 Christopher E. Harrison

Page 12 • March 13 - March 19, 2017 • Insight News

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